Detergent builder

ABSTRACT

A DETERGENT BUILDER COMPOSITION HAVING THE FORMULA:   (R)3-C-CO-C(-R)2-CH3   WHEREIN R IS -CH2-CH2-COOX, X BEING A MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF HYDROGEN, ALKALI METALS, AMMONIUM AND SUBSTITUTED AMMONIUM.

United States Patent US. or. 252-545 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A detergent builder composition having the formula:

R O R H R- iii-H t it 1'1 wherein R is CH --CH COOX, X being a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, alkali metals, ammonium and substituted ammonium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Summary of the invention The present invention relates to a detergent builder composition having the formula:

R o R H wherein R is CH -CH COOX, X being a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, alkali metals, ammonium and substituted ammonium.

(2) Description of the prior art The broad concept of built detergent compositions has been known for some time and encompasses the capability possessed by certain substances of substantially improving the effectiveness of detergent compounds. The improved or enhanced result as evidenced by a washed article appearing cleaner and brighter is generally characterized as the builder effect. Compounds which perform in this manner are called builders. The improved performance attributed to the builder. is manifested in a variety of ways. Among the ways with respect to which builders are thought to have useful effects are such factors as stabilization of suspended solid soils, emulsification of soils, the surface activity in an aqueous detergent solution, the solubilization of water-insoluble materials, foaming or suds producing characteristics of the washing solutions, peptization of soil agglomerates, neutralization of acid soils and the like, in addition to the sequestration of mineral constituents present in the washing solution. The term detergent is used in a general sense and is intended to embrace both cleaning and whiteness maintenance properties. Built detergent compositions prepared specifically for laundering the wide range of natural and synthetic fabrics commonly in use today are termed heavyduty detergents. Such compositions rely for their effectiveness, in part, on a relatively high proportion of builder materials being present in the composition.

The nature of the building action, while quite widely recognized in the literature. is not completely understood. There does appear to be some connection between the ability of a builder to soften water which is used to make up the washing solution and the improved result in detergency obtained when the builder is used. However, not all materials which act to sequester hardness-imparting calcium and magnesium ions perform satisfactorily as builders. No general basis has been found or is known 3,7 67 ,598 Patented Get. 23, 1973 either as regards physical properties or in chemical structure upon which one can predict with any degree of accuracy the performance of chemicals as detergent builders. Further, useful building actions with the most effective builders can be noted both above and below the point,

at which the builder is present in the washing solution in stoichiometric proportions to the hardness in water.

Building effects in detergents have been noted in connection with various inorganic alkaline salts such as alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates, polyphosphates and solicates. Similar building properties have also been noted in connection with certain organic salts such as alkali metal, potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, sodium and potassium N-(Z-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediaminetriacetate, sodium and potassium nitrilotriacetate, and sodium, potassium and triethanolammonium-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-nitrilodiacetate. Alkali metal salts of phytic acid have also been utilized to some degree as organic builders in detergent formulations.

In recent years, the detergent industry has become concerned about water pollution caused by phosphates. The use of these builders is being discouraged or prohibited by law in order to curtail the growth of algae in rivers, lakes and streams where the residues from household and industrial detergents can collect, causing ecological damage by maintaining an active growth of algae that normally require phosphate ions for metabolism and survival.

Cyanoethylation of various ketones with acrylonitrile has produced a variety of compositions. For example, it has been disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,386,736, entitled Cyanoethylation of Ketones, that acrylonitrile can be reacted in the presence of alkaline condensing agent with a ketone having an active methyl, methylene, or methenyl group immediately adjacent to the carbonyl group. The reaction results in a beta-cyanoethyl radical being attached to the carbon atom adjacent to the carbonyl group. Ketones which can be reacted in this manner include methyl ethyl ketone, phenoxyacetone, cyanoacetone, ethoxyacetone, acetophenone, p methyl-acetophenone,

acetyl-p-cymene, and the like. The polycarboxylic acid salt is then produced by saponification of hydrolysis.

It has now been surprisingly discovered that organic pentacarboxylic acids and water-soluble salts thereof prepared from cyanoethylated methyl ethyl ketone which is subsequently hydrolyzed, possesses extraordinary builder properties for a variety of synthetic detergents: for example, the long chain alkyl benzene sulfonate type, such as sodium isododecyl benzene sulfonate and sodium alkylaryl sulfonate. These carboxylic acids and salts do not contain phosphorus or nitrogen which can act to enhance and maintain the growth of algae.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved class of detergent builder materials.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new detergent composition.

It is 'a further object of the present invention to provide a new process for preparing a detergent composition.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the specification and claims which follow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The polycarboxylic acids and water-soluble salts thereof used in the present invention may be prepared by reacting methyl ethyl ketone in the presence of a strongly basic alkaline catalyst with sufiicient acrylonitrile to introduce 5 beta-cyanoethyl groups into the methyl ethyl ketone molecule. Catalysts useful for this purpose are the alkali metals and their oxides, hydroxides, alkoxides, and hydrides, as well as strongly basic quaternary ammonium hydroxides and alkoxi-des. One or several of these materials may be suspended or dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone or in a solution of methyl ethyl ketone in an inert liquid which is less reactive than the reacting methyl ethyl ketone, such as tertiary butyl alcohol. The quality of strongly basic alkaline catalyst necessary for the reaction is between about 0.1% and 2.0% on the combined weight of the reactants. Preferably, about 1.0% is utilized.

The amount of acrylonitrile necessary to react with methyl ethyl ketone to produce 5 beta-cyanoethyl groups on the methyl ethyl ketone molecule will, of course, vary with the temperature and time of the reaction, as well as the selected solvent system and catalyst. However, good yields of 5 beta-cyanoethylated methyl ethyl ketone can be successfully obtained by utilizing about 280 grams of acrylonitrile dissolved in about 120 grams of tertiary butyl alcohol, for each gram mole of methyl ethyl ketone.

The reaction between methyl ethyl ketone and acrylonitrile takes place readily at temperatures during the first half of the reaction from about C. to about 35 C., preferably at C. During the second half of the reaction, temperatures between about 50" C. and 65 C. are utilized, preferably 60 C. The reaction has been found to be exothermal so that cooling, at least during the initial part of the reaction, may be advantageous in order to control the vigor of the reaction and to prevent undesired polymerization or side reactions.

The reaction which occurs is:

These cyanoethylation products are then hydrolyzed to the corresponding polycarboxylic acid salts by reacting with, for example, an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide, such as a sodium or potassium hydroxide solution to split off ammonia as completely as possible, giving a water-soluble salt. For example, in the case of the preparation of the sodium salt the reaction would be as follows:

Any free alkali can be neutralized with strong acids such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acid since the presence of minor amounts of alkali metal sulfates or chlorides in the dried finished product is tolerated in the detergent composition itself. The solvent may also be evaporated off to leave behind the non-volatile salt of the polycarboxylic acid.

The water-soluble alkali metal salts of the polycarboxylic acids prepared as above described can, if desired, contain more than one species of alkali metal cation. For example, three of the live carboxyl groups can be neutralized with sodium hydroxide. Of the remaining two carboxyl groups, one each can be neutralized with potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. These ratios can be varied to suit relevant conditions of crystallinity, hygroscopicity, and ease of spray drying, to meet the specific needs of various powdered, packaged detergents to give a readily flowable, non-caking, non-hygroscopic, white crys talline product. For most commercial, powdered, synthetic detergents, the pentasodium salt of pentacarboxyethyl methyl ethyl ketone, is preferred because of low cost and efficiency. However, other water-soluble salts may also be used. For example, sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, ethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, trietlianolammonium, cyclohexylammonium, morpholim'um, piperidinium, hydrazinium, benzyl ammonium, and the like, may also be successfully used.

Many varieties of synthetic detergents may be built with the builder of the present invention. For example, anionic detergents may be successfully utilized. These detergents are water-soluble salts, especially the alkali metal salts of sulfuric reaction products saving in their molecular structure an alkyl radical containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and a radical selected from the class consisting of sulfonic acid and sulfuric acid ester radicals. Among the particular materials which can be used are: (l) the sodium alkyl sulfates, particularly those obtained by sulfating high carbon alcohols produced by reducing glycerides of tallow or coconut oil, (2) sodium or potassium alkylbenzenesulfonates in which the alkyl group contains about C to about C (3) sodium alkylpolyethersulfonates, especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil, (4) sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates and sulfonates, (5) sodium or potassium salts of sulfuric acid esters of the reaction product of 1 mole of a higher fatty alcohol and about 1 to 6 moles of ethylene oxide, (6) sodium or potassium salts of alkylphenol polyoxyalkylene ether sulfate with about 1 to 10 units of alkylene oxide per molecule and in which the alkyl radicals contain about 9 to about 18 carbon atoms, (7) the reaction product of fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and neutralized with sodium hydroxide, where, for example, the fatty acids are derived from coconut oil, and (8) sodium or potassium salts of fatty acid amides of tauri-ne in which the fatty acids are derived from coconut oil or the like. These detergent compounds can be formulated into a variety of forms such as granular, flake, liquid, powder and tablet forms.

Generally speaking, when preparing either granular or liquid detergent formulations, about 5% to about 50% of the total active formulation may consist of the present builder. Under normal circumstances, about 10% of our builder has been found to be preferred. However, the exact amount of the builder composition of the present invention utilized will vary depending on the base detergent formulation and the particular commercial application at hand.

Our builder composition has been found to have par ticular utility in liquid detergents. Liquid detergents have posed especially perplexing and difiicult problems for the detergent formulators, mainly because of solubility and stability factors in aqueous mediums. It is well known that although sodium tripolyphosphate is effective in granular detergents, it is not satisfactory in liquid formulations because of conversion to orthophosphate. In view of the increasing acceptance by the industry of liquid detergents, it is a very significant contribution of the present invention that an improved built liquid detergent product is made possible that will provide detergency levels far superior to a sodium tripolyphosphate built liquid product in a liquid formulation.

Most of the built liquid detergents available are either water based or have a mixture of water and alcohol as the liquid base. Our detergent builder composition may be satisfactorily utilized in these bases.

A detergent formulation containing our builder composition may contain a variety of miscellaneous additives which may make the finished product more effective and commercially attractive. For example, a soluble sodium carboxymethylcellulose may be added in minor amounts to inhibit soil redeposition. A tarnish inhibitor such as benzotriazole or ethylenethiourea may be added in minor amounts. Flourescence, perfume, coloring compounds, and optical brightening agents may be frequently desirable. An alkaline material or alkali such as sodium or potassium hydroxide may be added in minor amounts for pH adjustment. Additionally, moisture and brightening agents such as sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate may also be added. Other minor additives may also include corrosion and scale inhibitors and hydrotropic agents to promote homogeneity at lower temperatures.

The following examples further illustrate the novel qualities of the present invention:

EXAMPLE I The present example illustrates the preparation of the present builder composition. Into a one liter 3-neck flask fitted with a stirrer, thermometer, funnel and reflux condenser, was added a solution of 40 grams of tertiary butyl alcohol and 36 grams methyl ethyl ketone. While stirring, 0.5 gram of reagent potassium hydroxide pellets were added. To this solution was added dropwise a solution of 60 grams tertiary butyl alcohol and 140 grams of acrylonitrile. Intermittent water bath cooling was required because of an observed vigorous exotherm. 50% of the acrylonitrile solution was first added within 35 minutes at a temperature of about 25 C.-35 C. After the acrylonitrile addition, the reaction was aged for 45 minutes. 0.5 gram of potassium hydroxide pellets was then added as additional catalyst. The remaining acrylonitrile solution was then added during a 1 hour period. The reaction temperature rose to 48 C. The reaction batch was then permitted to age for 2 /2 hours at about 50 C. to 60 C.

The solvent and volatiles were distilled under vacuum to a terminal 115 C. pot temperature and 3 mm. pressure and the residue was hydrolyzed by adding 150 grams of sodium hydroxide dissolved in 325 grams of water. The batch was heated to reflux at 95 C. at which point vigorous ammonia evolution was noted. The reflux was continued for about 3 hours until the ammonia in the overhead was negligible. Reflux was then continued for 11 additional hours to complete the hydrolysis with intermittent distilate removal. The excess caustic was neutralized with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The resulting product was 39% active sodium salt of l,l,l,3,3-pentacarboxyethyl 3 methyl acetone.

EXAMPLE II Standard Tergotometer tests were made to determine the soil removal effectiveness of a representative laundry detergent composition containing a control formulation and of the builder composition of the present invention in a similar formulation. This test is one commonly used in the industry and is detailed in Proposed Method for Measuring Soil Removal and Whiteness Retention of Fabrics, published by the American Society for Testing and Materials, February 1969. This method provides a means of measuring the ability of detergents to remove artificial soil from fabric and prevent its redeposition on clean fabric. A laboratory-scale agitator-type washing machine is utilized, together with a reflectometer which is calibrated by means of standard vitreous enamel plaques having reflectance in the range of the fabric sample being measured. The washer is operated at a suitable fixed speed which is recorded with test results. After washing, the sample material is damp dried between clean toweling and then ironed flat between two pieces of clean white cotton sheeting. The reflectance readings are then determined. The test builder of the present invention was a sample of the sodium salt made as in Example I. The detergent compositions were as follows:

Percent by weight Test Control formula Polycarboxyllc builder 10. 0 1. 0 1.0 7. 0 7. 0 76. 0 66. 0 16.0 16. 0

Each sample was tested at a dilution of 0.25% in water having a hardness rating of 15 grains per gallon. Detergency was measured as the increase in diffuse reflectance accomplished after the laundering of the following three diiferent soiled cloths:

(1) Test fabric soiled cotton, wash and wear finish (2) ACH soiled cotton 1 (3) US. testing soiled cotton The calculat on of the improvement in reflectance was made as follows:

Percent improvement in reflectance =[(AB)/(CB)] X 100 Where:

A=average reflectance of 16 soiled swatches after washing B=average reflectance of 16 soiled swatches before washing, and

C=average reflectance of 4. unsoiled swatches before washing.

To assure the presence of the correct amount of each formula ingredient in the wash solution, dilute aqueous solutions of both samples were prepared and added on an aliquot basis to the Tergotometer beaker.

The Tergotometer test was made in accordance with the following test conditions:

Amount of solution/vessel 1 liter. Temperature P111". Speed of agitation cycles/minute. Water hardness 15 grains/gallon. Concentration of formulated detergent 0.25%. Wash time 15 minutes. Rinse 2 five minute cycles.

The results of soil removal tests are as follows:

TABLE 2A.-AVERAGE INCREASE IN DIFFUSE REFLECTANOE U.S. Testing ACH 115 testing fabric Total Builder cotton cotton cotton gain Control 32. 6 5. 4 15. 5 53. 5 Polyearboxylic acid salt 35. 1 6. 6 17. 6 59. 3

Although the invention has been described in terms of 1 Supplied by ACH Fabric Service, Inc., Boston, Mass.

What we claim is: 1. A detergent composition consisting essentially of (1) a builder having the formula:

wherein R is CH --CH COOX, X being a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, alkali metals, ammonium and a substituted ammonium selected from the class consisting of ethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium, cyclohexylammonium and benzyl ammonium, and (2) a water-soluble salt of a sulfuric reaction product selected from the class consisting of sodium alkyl sulfates, sodium and potassium alkylbenzenesulfonates having an alkyl group containing from about C to about C sodium alkylpolyethersulfonates, sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates and sulfonates, sodium and potassium salts of sulfuric acid esters of the reaction product of 1 mole of a fatty alcohol and about 1 to 6 moles of ethylene oxide, sodium and potassium salts of alkylphenol polyoxyalkylene ether sulfate with about 1 to 10 units of alkylene oxide per molecule wherein the alkyl radicals contain about C to about C coconut oil fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and thereafter neutralized, and sodium and potassium salts of coconut oil fatty acid amides of taurine, the amount of said builder in said composition being from between about and about 50% by weight.

2. The detergent composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of said builder in said composition is from between about 5% and about 20% by Weight.

3. The detergent composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of said builder in said composition is about by weight.

4. A detergent composition consisting essentially of (1) builder having the formula R 0 R H R- iii-H wherein R is CH CH COON,, and (2) a sodium or potassium salt of an alkyl benzene sulfonate having an alkyl group containing from about C to about C the amount of said builder in said composition being from between about 5 and about 50% by Weight.

5. The detergent composition of claim 4 wherein the amount of said builder in said composition is from between about 5% and about 20% by weight.

6. The detergent composition of claim 1 in liquid form.

7. The detergent composition of claim 1 in granular form.

8. The detergent composition of claim 2 in liquid form.

9. The detergent composition of claim 2 in granular form.

10. form.

11. form.

12. form.

13. form.

The detergent composition of claim 3 in liquid The detergent composition of claim 3 in granular The detergent composition of claim 4 in liquid The detergent composition of claim 4 in granular 14. A detergent composition consisting essentially of 1) a 1,1,1,3,3-pentacarboxyethyl 3-methyl acetone builder, wherein the carboxyl groups in the acetone molecule are neutralized with at least one member selected from the class consisting of sodium, potassium and lithium hydroxide, and (2) a water-soluble salt of a sulfuric reaction product selected from the class consisting of sodium alkyl sulfates, sodium and potassium alkylbenzenesulfonates having an alkyl group containing from about C to about C sodium alkylpolyethersulfonates, sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates and sulfonates, sodium and potassium salts of sulfuric acid esters of the reaction product of 1 mole of a fatty alcohol and about 1 to 6 moles of ethylene oxide, sodium and potassium salts of alkylphenol polyoxyalkylene ether sulfate with about 1 to 10 units of alkylene oxide per molecule wherein the alkyl radicals contain about C to about C18, coconut oil fatty acids esterified with isothionic acid and thereafter neutralized, and sodium and potassium salts of coconut oil fatty acid amides of taurine, and mixtures thereof, the amount of said builder in said composition being from between about 5% and about by weight.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,329,433 9/1943 Brusnon 260537 2,342,606 2/1944 Bruson 260537 2,456,517 12/1948 Ladd et al. 260537 R 3,635,830 1/1972 Lambert et a1 252546 3,661,787 5/1972 Brown 252-109 3,704,320 11/1972 Lannert 252-546 LEON D. ROSDOL, Primary Examiner P. E. WILLIS, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

